Protestors Gather at Independence Park, Philly, to Demonstrate Against Trump's Decision to Eliminate Displays Portraying Slavery in Early American History
The President's House Site in Philadelphia, a significant historical landmark, is currently under federal review due to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. This order aims to reshape how U.S. history is publicly presented, particularly around race and slavery, and has flagged several exhibits addressing slavery and its brutality for potential removal or revision by mid-September 2025 [1][4][5].
Activists and community members in Philadelphia have strongly opposed these moves, emphasizing the importance of these exhibits in providing an essential and truthful account of the contradictions in American history. The President's House Site memorial notably centers the stories and experiences of the enslaved individuals held by founding figure George Washington, a fact that activists fought to be prominently displayed in the early 2000s and continue to defend [1][2].
One such advocate is Tyler, the historiographer and executive director of AME Church, who stated that Philadelphians would ensure visitors still learn the truth about the site's history, even if it means volunteering as docents [2]. The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler refuted the idea that the exhibits at The President's House Site unfairly "disparage" the founding fathers [3].
The "Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation" exhibit, which opened in 2010, deeply examines the lives of the enslaved within Washington's Philadelphia household. It details how George Washington illegally transported his enslaved people every six months and candidly addresses America's legacy of slavery [1][2]. Anthony Wong, a visitor from New Jersey, emphasized the importance of these exhibits in providing a more accurate understanding of American history [1].
Other sites under review include the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Independence Hall, the Second Bank of the United States, and a wayside outdoor panel. Participants in Saturday's rally expressed concern that whitewashing the exhibits could result in visitors leaving uninformed [1]. Roz McPherson, who served as project director during the creation of the exhibit at the President's House Site, described it as a "missing part of history" [1].
The federal government has committed funds for the restoration of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia ahead of the 250th anniversary. A significant portion of the renovation funds is intended to support "inclusive storytelling" that reflects the full complexity of American history [4]. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exhibits, local activists and historians are mobilizing to preserve the current slavery-focused interpretive content against efforts to remove or revise it [1][2][3].
[1] Associated Press. (2021, August 21). Philadelphia rally defends slavery-focused exhibit at President's House Site. Yahoo News. https://news.yahoo.com/philadelphia-rally-defends-slavery-focused-184248056.html
[2] Associated Press. (2021, August 21). Philadelphians rally to protect President's House Site exhibit. The Philadelphia Inquirer. https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/local/philadelphia-presidents-house-site-slavery-exhibit-rally-20210821.html
[3] Associated Press. (2021, August 21). Historian defends slavery exhibit at President's House Site. The Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-george-washington-slavery-history-rally-e6386072b0d7b8a6c2378a6e21094f36
[4] The White House. (2020, January 18). Executive Order on Establishing the President's Council on the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-establishing-presidents-council-white-house-initiative-promote-excellence-innovation-historically-black-colleges-universities/
[5] The White House. (2020, July 3). Executive Order on Establishing the President's Advisory 1776 Commission. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-establishing-presidents-advisory-1776-commission/
- The current federal review of exhibits at historical sites in Philadelphia, including The President's House Site, is a contentious issue in the arena of policy-and-legislation, sparking protests from activists who fear potential changes may distort American history.
- In the realm of general-news, the fights to preserve slavery-focused exhibits, such as the one at The President's House Site, are not just local concerns, but are significant in the global debate about how U.S. history should be presented and remembered.
